Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries

Ohio Valley Goodwill was honored to serve as the host location for the 2010 Advocacy and Leadership Summit. The premiere event welcomed more than 120 advocates, Goodwill staff team members, as well as co-presenters, the Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities (HCDDS), Advocacy and Leadership Network. The summit served as the opportunity to provide information to the many individuals in attendance about the advocacy and leadership development options available through Goodwill as well as HCDDS and the larger community.

Samantha Woolery, Chairperson of Goodwill’s Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) and James Harley, Secretary, welcomed the interested group to the 2010 summit and provided an overview of Goodwill’s self-advocacy efforts.

Katie Wietmarschen, Community Preparation Program Manager and Leslie McCurley, Asst. Director of DD Services for Goodwill surprised the CAC co-chairs by presenting them with the 2010 HCDDS Superintendent’s Award which Goodwill had officially received at the 2010 HCDDS Annual Awards event on March 1st. The prestigious award was given to Goodwill’s CAC group in recognition of their outstanding community outreach on behalf of the 2009 HCDDS Levy Campaign. “Goodwill is extremely proud of the accomplishments of CAC not only this past year but since they began their self-advocacy work more than 15 years ago,” said Leslie McCurley.

The 2010 summit presented basic concepts in leadership and advocacy to the assembled guests and was highlighted by a special presentation about the use of People First language and the Advocacy Leadership Network’s “People Aren’t Jars” training. The “People Aren’t Jars” presentation focuses on not using hurtful “labels” and treating individuals with respect at all times.

Ohio Valley Goodwill hosted the 2010 Summit as part of its Community Integration initiatives designed to help people develop the necessary skills to be successful in all aspects of their lives. “I was inspired to see the impact that this initial summit had on the individuals who were participants in this event,” said Katie Wietmarschen, co-facilitator. “Goodwill will continue to be a leader for providing opportunities for people to learn about community resources for integration into the future,” added Wietmarschen.

Ohio Valley Goodwill’s Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) was honored to be selected for recognition at the 2010 Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services (HCDDS) Annual Awards event held March 1st. The prestigious award was presented to CAC in recognition of their hard work in support of the 2009 HCDDS Levy Campaign as well as for their on-going community outreach efforts. Joe Byrum, Goodwill President and CEO, Melinda Gabelman, Advocate and Sharon Hannon, Marketing Specialist were delighted to accept the Superintendent’s award on behalf of the Consumer Advisory Committee.

“We are very proud of Goodwill’s Consumer Advisory Committee and applaud their advocacy work that benefits all individuals with disabilities,” said Byrum after accepting the award. Cheryl Phipps, HCDDS Superintendent, went on to commend Goodwill for its support of the Levy campaign generally and specifically, the co-coordination and sponsorship of the 2009 What Matters Most Fashion Show. The sold-out, precedent-setting show was designed to showcase the skills and abilities of all people with disabilities and served as the launch of Visionaries and Voices fashion designer, Nikki Martin. (Click here to view images from the 2009 CARA What Matters Most Fashion Show).

“Ohio Valley Goodwill is gratified by the recognition of our efforts to support individuals with disabilities and especially, the hard work of the many advocates represented by its Consumer Advisory Committee,” said Byrum, Goodwill President and CEO. The organization has worked in partnership with HCDDS for more than 25 years and serves more than 500 individuals per year with developmental disabilities.

L to R: Tim Spoleti, Program Mgr, Marty Caffrey, Mentor Specialist, Donna Finklea, Data Recording Specialist

Tuesday, March 2nd marked the date of the official launch of Ohio Valley Goodwill’s newest service option, its Goodwill GoodGuides™ program. The new program is designed to assist youth in Northern Kentucky in overcoming disadvantages and avoiding delinquency. The GoodGuides™ program is part of a national youth mentoring program in partnership with Goodwill Industries International. The goal of the program is to match at-risk youth with caring adults and provide them with guidance and support through career exploration and job readiness skills.

The Goodwill GoodGuides™ program engages adult volunteers who are expected to commit to supporting, guiding and being a friend to a young person for a period of at least one year. Mentors help youth develop and reach positive academic, career and personal goals. The program targets youth between the ages of 12 and 17 who are at-risk for dropping out of school, facing legal troubles, or are at-risk due to issues such as abuse, disability, drug or alcohol dependence, or gang membership.

“With Goodwill GoodGuides™, we will be able to offer expanded mentoring services to the youth of the Northern Kentucky community. Goodwill will recruit, train and support volunteer mentors to engage youth in promoting their career development and life skills,” said Tim Spoleti, Program Manager for GoodGuides of Ohio Valley Goodwill.

Currently, the Goodwill GoodGuides™ program is seeking caring, compassionate adult mentors to participate in its newest service opportunity for at-risk youth. For more information about the Goodwill GoodGuides™ program and its mentoring opportunities, please contact Tim Spoleti at 513-771-4800, ext. 6220 or tspoleti@cincigoodwill.org